As Paren talks, Falaine has a moment of Revelation. "I think I should go visit Oppenholdt and research more about these shards and their locations. Anyone want to go with me? I fear splitting the party at this point would be I'll advised, but if we must, then we should travel in pairs."

Tanni is shocked to see Falaine's true form and tries to poorly hide it by taking a big gulp from her tankard. After collecting herself, she says, "Well, if anyone treats you poorly because of your looks, just point the bastard to me and I'll teach him to judge people by their looks." She then sits in silence, listening as others talk and trade information. A battle between gods is quite a lot to chew for her and momentarely she worries how and why she managed to tangle herself into this mess. She shoves her worries aside, focusing on the problem at hand. "I'll come with you, Falaine. I'd like to see this Oppenholdt. Frankly, I don't trust either side in this celestial conflict, so I leave the decision which one to help to you folk." She sighs a bit and gazes to her drink, "I just hope they would keep regular folk out of their squabbles."

Paren looks at the group, "Ok, so Finan and I will go hunt down the boxes while you check in with the mage." He pauses for a second before continuing. "One question I do have though. With Kursk dead there's no one to carry out this 'cleansing.' So what do we do with the stones when we find them?"

Finan glances at Ombre, then answers to Paren and the rest of the group. "I'm certain Aiden will come up with something, or let us know how Shamara intends to deal with it.

"You're not putting me at ease, Paren. Who is this old friend, what does he do for a living? If you're asking me to come along to a criminal den, at least give me the favor of informing me a little. I've dealt with shady folk before, but I'd like to know what I'm getting myself in to," he says, then glances around the establishment again, "for once."

Paren looks very uncomfortable for a moment at Finan's questions. He sits in silence for a bit before quickly standing and motioning for Finan to follow him. He then heads back to his room. 

Finan nods at Paren before he leaves, indicating he will follow, but when Paren is out of eye- and earsight he turns to the group, looking each directly in the eyes as he speaks softly. "Listen, friends. I want to trust Paren, but he is acting strange, secretive. We know the entity is still speaking to him, perhaps controlling him. He might be planning to lead me to a trap, to summon another one of these things to kill me. I would ask you to come along, find out what it is he is hiding from us, together. Please."

((I'm getting caught up!

RE: Changelings. Most people wouldn't be oblivious about changelings. Bards would have most likely heard stories of "shifters" where people could disguise themselves at will. Scholars and anthropologist would know of stories regarding the existance of actual "shifters" and categorized them as Changelings.  

You may roll History to see if you're familiar with results being as described below.

• 10+: You've heard the term shifters and the legends of people being able to change their appearance at will. These are mostly campfire stories to scare people.

• 15+: You're familiar with the more documented cases of "shifters" able to change their appearance. The people that performed the studies weren't great at this studies and assumed some sort of mishap at birth caused the affect.

• 20+: You're familiar with the concept of Changeleings as you've learned the information from a place of study or from a scholar that wanted to impress you. You would know that changelings are extremely rare and most likely avoid society all together as they feel rather different and self conscious about themselves. ))

((Paren hasn't checked in regarding the message to the north. The process may have been completed since his last visit.))

((Falaine and Tanni, are you going with Finan to check on Paren or are you heading out now for Oppenholdt? Jonathan, what's your plan?))

(OOC: I'm going to leave things as they were without the roll. I feel like we've established that Paren wouldn't be the type to have learned about things like that.)

((It is late evening and the sun has fallen behind the mountains to the west.))

((we're currently holding on the responses from Tanni, Falain, and Jonathan))

Falaine will volunteer to go with Finan, she trusts Paren, but wants to help build trust in the group.

(May as well roll that check. It's something he is actually proficient in!)

History: 12

Jonathan is taken aback by the sudden shapeshifting of his companion, thinking nothing could surprise him anymore in this town. "What... are you?" he asks cautiously. Then he gets the explanation. He listens to the group talking, a little stunned, and unsure how to trust a shapeshifter, there are tales of such people who steal children from cradles, amongst other bad tales. However, none of the group here have shown to be untrustworthy, so perhaps opening up their changeling heritage is the greatest form of trust that can be given.

Jonathan coughs. "Yes, well that is all well and good." He says, somewhat having listened to the conversation, but not really focused on it. "However, I think we can't progress without a proper rest and chance to think on it overnight. A lot's happened today, we've run around for only the gods know how long, defended the town, stopped a... whatever that dirt monster was. Finan, if you're worried about potentially being ambushed in the night, perhaps you should stay with one of us until dawn."

History Check: 15

(edit: Tanni hasn't heard much of changelings, but a person who is able to change their shape at will, after the craziness she has seen in this city, is not unreasonable. She's still trying to process this, but tries to act like Falaine's shapeshifting is just a neat talent.)

Tanni nods, agreeing to join Finan and Falaine to check on Paren.

The group gathers in Paren's quarters. The room is not that different than yours with the exception of Tanni whose room is a little different. 

Finan smiles as the ladies offer to come. He gets to his feet, then moves to stand next to Jonathan, grabbing the man by the upper arm. "I'm not worried about tonight, I'm worried about right now. Come."

He makes his way over to Paren's room. He holds up his hand to knock on the door, but pauses shortly to raise up his eyebrows at the others in a gesture of 'Well, here we are.', then raps his knuckles against the door twice. "Paren?"

Paren's voice from the other side of the door is softer than usual, almost timid. "Come." 

When everyone enters they see Paren sitting in the centre of the room, his shield face up before him. Scanning around you see that his weapons are all stacked up in the far corner of the room. He looks up, expecting Finan, and grimaces when he sees the entire group. 

"So it's to be like that is it? Very well. I guess this is an evening for truth. 

Finan, you are worried that this, this voice is the entity. It is not. This is me, the real me, before I met Lugh. 

Before I lived in the Grove I was poor in Thornwood. Being poor in Thornwood means that you meet many shady people. 

This is how I know this contact. He is a member of the Brotherhood, a group of thieves and criminals. From this other life I know how to contact them and get information from them.

Maybe now you'll understand a little better. I don't care for this entity but I do care for Lugh and the balance he has charged me with protecting. Lugh made me who I am, without him I am nothing. I am this."

Jonathan is keeping a careful eye on the situation, not inputting as this seems to be their affair, not his. However, he is hoping that nothing comes of it so he can finally get some evening time that is less hectic and maybe another night in a comfortable bed.